PAISLEY got a much-needed boost this week as it was revealed the number of people on the dole has fallen.

New figures issued by the Office for National Statistics, show that in April there were 5,729 people out of work in our UK Parliamentary constituencies, compared to 5,932 in March.

In Paisley & Renfrewshire North, there were 1,580 men claiming Jobseekers’ Allowance in April, against 1,672 in March.

For women, the picture was broadly similar, with 747 on the dole in April, compared to 743 in March.

Paisley & Renfrewshire South saw 2,427 men out of work in April, while the figure for March was 2,522.

And there were 975 women on the dole in April as opposed to 995 in March.

The statistics covering the three-month period from January to March 2012 reveal employment in Scotland is rising and unemployment is falling.

And both are moving at a faster rate than across the UK as a whole.

Scotland has a higher rate of employment and a lower rate of economic inactivity than the rest of the UK.

Finance Secretary John Swinney said: “These figures show again that Scotland has a higher employment rate – for the eighteenth consecutive month of labour market statistics – and a lower rate of economic inactivity than the UK as a whole.

“The figures show the actions of the Scottish Government and our agencies are delivering.

“We continue to face particular challenges in terms of youth and female unemployment, and we are taking forward specific initiatives to address these. Last month, for example, the First Minister announced at the STUC Annual Congress that the Scottish Government would hold a Women’s Employment Summit to consider what steps can be taken to increase female employment across Scotland.

“With the full economic and financial powers of independence we could do even more – but in the meantime the UK Government must help, rather than hinder, the process of economic recovery.”

Minister for Youth Employment Angela Constance added said the Government was determined to improve the employability and life chances of young people, and has guaranteed every 16 to 19-year-old a place in education or training through Opportunities for All.

“In addition to the £30 million announced to back up our commitment, we are investing almost the same amount again through European Structural Funds to fund a range of employability initiatives around the country,” she said.